While Story House Bundoora provides exceptional care and early learning experiences for children, it has also become a place for the community to mix and mingle in their unique community library space.
A high-quality public space can enhance the sense of community in neighbourhoods. More importantly though, a strong sense of community has been associated with improved wellbeing, increased feelings of safety and security, participation in community affairs and civic responsibility.
The main purpose of the library is for children to be immersed in a variety of rich early literacy experiences. They are encouraged to borrow books and educators take children to the library for group time throughout the day. The library is well-resourced with lots of books for all interests and age groups – but it is much more than that!
Not only is the library available at any time to sit and read, or for parents to enjoy a cuppa, the room is also used for community events and programs. The Bundoora service likes to trial new programs in the library because it’s a way to connect people with similar interests and values, it helps small businesses to expose what they have to offer to people who might not know they exist and it gives parents a reason to get out of the house if they are feeling a little alone or isolated – sometimes this happens to parents of young infants.
We also use the space to have meetings with existing parents, interviews with new parents or any visitors who want to be a part of the Story House team. It’s a warm and welcoming space which makes people feel happy!
And speaking of happy…one of our long-standing programs is the Happy Feet program which has been attending the service for many years now. Story House Bundoora is very fortunate to have Miss Katie come out twice a week to the library to host a fun, fitness-inspired entertainment program for children of all ages.
Proud Poppy clothing has held a pop-up store which offered families and the broader community an opportunity to visit the library, connect with other parents and do a spot of shopping at the same time.
Creating community by connecting people and supporting local small businesses is important to our families here at Story House Bundoora. We can’t wait to see how our library space continues to evolve as time goes on.
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- For information regarding our childcare and kindergarten service go to: Story House Early Learning Bundoora.
